WEDNESDAY August 21, 2019
Restrained Hands
Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe. And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.” So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.
1 Samuel 24:5-7
David had cut off a piece of Saul’s robe and he was immediately convicted by the Lord. Imagine that! His conscience bothered him. He knew Saul was the Lord’s anointed. David returned and instructed his men. He told them, “King Saul is my master and the Lord’s anointed.” Notice the heart of a man of God. David’s actions showed God’s anointing on his life––wisdom.
Although Saul’s behavior towards David was wrong, David instructed his men not to touch Saul. In doing so, David gave his men an important lesson: never come against the Lord’s anointed. He taught them the fear of the Lord. David took charge of his men. He did not allow them to become ignorant murderers. They followed the advice of their leader, because they recognized a man of wisdom, a man of prayer, and a man who followed after the Lord.
David’s life has taught me endurance and patience, especially with those who come against me without a cause. A genuine Christian who is anointed by God cannot continue in bitterness, or in any other sin, because the Holy Spirit dwells inside of them. If we are to love our enemies, then we need to pray for those who have come against us.
Let us have every passion and habit under due restraint: If we are not masters of ourselves we are not fit to be leaders in the church.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!